Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist and the Democratic nominee for New York City mayor, is facing a wave of attacks invoking 9/11 and terrorism — from Republicans and, in some cases, Democratic figures — even as multiple late-October polls show him leading Andrew Cuomo in the Nov. 4 election.
Mamdani entered the final week as the polling frontrunner. A Suffolk University CityView poll conducted Oct. 23–26 found him ahead of independent Andrew Cuomo, 44% to 34%, with Republican Curtis Sliwa at 11%. A Quinnipiac University survey released Oct. 29 similarly showed Mamdani up 43% to 33%, and reported that 64% of voters ages 18–34 favored Mamdani. His platform centers on freezing rent increases on stabilized apartments, fare‑free buses, and universal child care — signature pledges his campaign has promoted since the primary. (en.wikipedia.org)
The rhetoric around his candidacy has escalated. Rep. Elise Stefanik has repeatedly labeled Mamdani a “jihadist,” and in a June fundraising email she called him a “Hamas terrorist sympathizer,” according to Mediaite and the Washington Post. Far‑right activist Laura Loomer warned online to “Get ready for another 9/11,” calling Mamdani a “pro‑Hamas Muslim socialist,” reports the Independent and Times of India. Florida Rep. Randy Fine called Mamdani “little more than a Muslim terrorist” and urged that he be deported — remarks Newsweek noted in a broader story about Republican efforts to scrutinize Mamdani’s citizenship. (mediaite.com)
Some Democrats have added to the drumbeat. On Oct. 23, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams endorsed Cuomo and, standing beside him, invoked “Islamic extremism” while warning New York “can’t be Europe” — language that drew criticism for implying a security threat under Mamdani. Hours earlier, Cuomo went on Sid Rosenberg’s radio show and, after musing about crisis leadership, said, “God forbid another 9/11 — can you imagine Mamdani in the seat?” When the host said Mamdani “would be cheering,” Cuomo laughed and replied, “That’s another problem,” coverage by TIME and People shows. Cuomo later said he did not share the host’s view. (apnews.com)
Mamdani has answered by leaning into his faith and the experiences of Muslim New Yorkers after 9/11. In a Bronx speech on Oct. 24, he said recent attacks were “racist and baseless,” and added: “I will not change who I am … I will find myself in the light.” He also secured a late endorsement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. (apnews.com)
The climate recalls earlier post‑9/11 policing controversies: the NYPD’s “Demographics Unit,” which mapped Muslim life across the region, produced no terrorism leads or cases in more than six years, according to court testimony reported by the Associated Press. (ap.org)
Tensions around identity and public safety have also spilled into street incidents. An Israeli visitor, Rami Glikstein, was assaulted near the Mr. Broadway kosher restaurant in Midtown on Monday, Oct. 27. Initial reports said the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force was probing the case; a subsequent Ynet report, citing NYPD, said it was not being treated as a hate crime, pointing to the suspect’s apparent instability. No arrest had been announced as of Oct. 30. Details of the attack were covered by outlets including the New York Post, the New York Sun and The Jewish Chronicle. (jns.org)
Separately, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis urged NYPD officers on Fox News not to “risk your life” for a mayor who “hates you,” citing Mamdani’s past “defund the police” posts — comments reported by the Daily Wire. His remarks reflect a broader line of GOP criticism framing Mamdani as anti‑police. (dailywire.com)
Policy stakes remain central. Independent reporting notes that many of Mamdani’s marquee promises would require state cooperation or action by boards he does not directly control — for instance, the MTA on bus fares and the Rent Guidelines Board on rent levels — even as his campaign argues the mayor can set the agenda and appoint key decision‑makers. (newsweek.com)
If elected, Mamdani would be New York City’s first Muslim mayor. He won the Democratic primary over the summer by double digits and has led most independent general‑election polls since September. Early voting is underway ahead of the Nov. 4 election. (apnews.com)
